HRFC U 13's 10 - 44 Luctonians U13's

Local derbies are almost always keenly contested, and so this proved to be today. Hereford, smarting from an early season drubbing at the hands of their guests, took the game to Luctonians, but found their guests well organised and committed, especially at the breakdown, where turnover ball was used to good effect. On too many occasions in the first half, Hereford ball carriers found themselves unsupported at contact which led to lost possession at key moments. Hereford soon found themselves 20-0 down. At this stage, some regrouping was done, with the players recognising what needed to be done to make this more of a contest. For the rest of the first half, this turned into a more entertaining game, with Hereford keeping possession more effectively and asking questions of the Luctonians defence. However, Luctonians still managed to score another try to take a 27-0 lead into half time. The second half offered more of where the first half had finished. Committed Hereford forwards were matching their Luctonians counterparts and keeping more ball, allowing the backs to pressurise the Luctonians defence. This soon paid off with Hereford scoring their first try through Gareth Jones. A second try was soon added bringing the score to 27-10. Hereford pressure for most of the second half had prevented Luctonians from gaining much ball, but in the last quarter they broke free from the onslaught to score a try, with a crash ball from a lineout on the Hereford 5m line, well worked with a bit of variation in line out numbers creating the space. This was followed up with a try straight from the restart, with a well taken catch galloped in with the Hereford backs having committed to catch the restart kick (the forwards will have to apologise for that one as they were 10m off the kick). A thoroughly entertaining second half was concluded with a third Luctonians try, with a series of missed tackles allowing the Luc's winger to run from deep for a well taken score.
 
Lessons from the game:
Forwards - Hit the ground running, and support your ball carrier at the breakdown.
Backs - Get your tackles in and avoid running from side to side, straighten up your running to ask questions of your opposition's defence.
 
Lastly, thanks to both sets of players for a thoroughly entertaining game, played in good spirit.

Today's fixture was a return of a closely contested affair that Hereford had won 20-5 back in December. A strong Ledbury pack had caused problems for Hereford during the first fixture, with the scoreline flattering Hereford a little, and the return proved to be just as testing. Hereford were made to fight for every bit of possession by a strong Ledbury pack, with a well marshalled backline. However, when Hereford were able to feed their backs, some impressive moves were forthcoming with tries for Ed Wilson and Billy Greasley. Ledbury, however, responded in the best possible fashion with tries of their own, which with a conversion, gave them a half time lead of 12-10. The second half proved to be along the same lines, with a strong Ledbury pack forcing play into the Hereford half. However, a fine break from the Hereford No.8 saw him cross for a Hereford try between the posts, which with the successful conversion from Ed Wilson, took Hereford into a temporary lead. Ledbury then responded almost immediately with a strong surge into the Hereford half which was only stopped by Hereford penalty. Ledbury bravely opted to run their penalty, with one of their forwards burrowing over for an unconverted try, levelling the scores at 17-17. With the game entering its' final 10 minutes Hereford were still trying to unleash their backs, with several good moves being thwarted by stout and organised Ledbury defence. However, it proved one move too many eventually, with Curtiss Laing breaking well from midfield to score between the posts for Hereford's last try, which was successfully converted by Ed Wilson to take the final score to 24-17.

HRFC U-13's 14 - 68 Bromsgrove RFC U - 13's

Not a good day at the office for the U - 13's today. The Bromsgrove side had a sizeable mobile pack, who in the first half dominated possession at the breakdown, primarily by hitting rucks in greater numbers than their Hereford counterparts. This possession was used to great effect with good passing out of contact and good play among the backs leaving Hereford chasing shadows, or Bromsgrove's sizable and very quick left winger! At half time, Bromsgrove had taken a large lead without reply. However, after the break, Hereford, having regrouped and discussed areas for improvement, started to come back into the game, with two converted tries from Harry Porter showing what could be done with teamwork and commitment. Bromsgrove had taken the opportunity to swap round some of their better backs, but seeing a revival thought it better to bring them back on for the final ten minutes, which resulted in further tries for Bromsgrove prior to the end of the match.
Hereford were taught a lesson in maintaining possession and using your backs well today. Unfortunately they were also taught a lesson in the darker side of the game, with one player being cynically stamped on after play had moved on and subsequently having to retire. Several other members of the Hereford team will also have some stud sized mementos from this bruising encounter.

Hereford U-13's completed the double over their Kidderminster counterparts in a keenly contested match at Kidderminster. The Kidderminster pack had oviously taken on-board the lessons from the previous meeting between the two sides this season and started the match strongly, with a series of strong drives keeping the play firmly in the Hereford half for the first ten minutes of the game (with substitutions required, with large squads on both sides, 3x 20 sessions were played). This pressure from the sizeable Kidderminster pack resulted in two tries, one of them converted, which gave Kidderminster a 12-0 advantage. However, as the first period wore on, the superior fitness and mobility of the Hereford pack told, and at last quick ball was being provided for the Hereford backs to start running the ball. The second period continued as the first had finished, the Hereford pack starting to provide good ball for the backs and this was duly rewarded, with two Hereford tries in the second period, one converted, which brought the scores even as the third period started. The third period was dominated by Hereford,  with three good tries being run in, one converted to take the final score to 12-29. All in all a nice result against a side with significant physical presence amongst the pack. 
 
 
 

Another good performance from Hereford U-13's at the start of 2008. Hereford showed their intention from the very start of the game, with a fine turnover from the kick-off, leading to the first try within the first minute. From then on in the first half Hereford proved too strong and direct in their running for their opponents and racked up a further five tries, with only two converted, to lead 34-0 at half time. At the start of the second half Bredon rallied and only organised Hereford defence kept them scoreless. However, with the forwards and backs continuing in the same vein as the first half a further four tries were added (none converted), taking the score to 54-0.
Positives from the game: Good defence, and continuity between forwards and backs.
Areas to improve: Too much running side-to-side at times (you know who you are!!), and as legs got tired, a few passes thrown without identifying a recipient.
Man of the match: Curtis Laing, with a special mention to Michael Cribbens - nice to see you back mate!

Hereford RFC U-13's 54 - 0 Bredon RFC U-13's

Ledbury RFC U-13's 5 - 20 Hereford RFC U-13's
Today's match was probably the U-13's best performance of the season. Facing a significantly bigger pack in Ledbury, the Hereford U-13's concentrated on quick ball to the backs, with their smaller forwards supporting in numbers at the breakdown. For the first half this paid dividends, with three unconverted tries run in within the first twenty minutes, to take Hereford in at half-time leading 15-0. The Ledbury pack started to use their considerable physical presence in the second half, mauling the ball well and exerting pressure which resulted in a try, which also went unconverted, taking the score to 5-15. Hereford then responded in the best possible way, with their fourth try, again unconverted, taking the score to 5-20. The final ten minutes then saw almost constant Ledbury pressure, which was contained by organised and resolute defending from all of the Hereford team, the ball being held up over the tryline on two separate occasions. All in all an excellent game of rugby from both teams - more of the same please!